Golf Training Device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a golf training device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a golf training device.

INTRODUCTION

Golf, arguably the most popular of individual sports, attracts tens of millions of regular players and even more audiences around the world. Accordingly, a massive industry has been built around it, featuring not only the games and players themselves but, and maybe more significantly, the equipment used in the game, such as balls, clubs, tees, golf bags and even clothing. Also, a great diversity of accessories have been produced in response to various needs or issues occurring in the game, including, for example, to help the golfer to swing properly (see EP 2 228 103 A1), to prevent the ground being damaged by the golf club (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,345 B1), to provide golf tee performing functions more than holding the ball (see DE 10 2013 017 986 B3 and WO 03/06117 A1) or to avoid the loss of the tee during the game (see DE 20 2011 002 135 U1 and DE 20 2014 103 732 U1). Moreover, a number of devices have been invented which are supposed to help the golfer to improve a swing. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,946 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,248 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,407 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,300,219 B1, EP 2 060 304 A1, U.S. 2019/0255412 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,330 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,165,479 B1. However, while some of these devices may be helpful in providing visual guidance to the golfer, these devices are not suitable for providing an actual feedback as to the quality of the swing.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf training device with a feedback means.

This object is achieved with a golf training device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a golf training device comprising a visual guide comprising a tee receiving section for receiving a golf tee and two elongated, deformable elements each having first and second ends, wherein the two elongated elements are connected to the tee receiving section at their first ends. The golf training device further comprises two tactile markers connected to the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively, at or proximate to the second ends.

The golf training device according to the present invention provides two training functions which are incorporated in one and the same device, namely a visual guide, which provides visual guidance to the golfer as to the direction of an ideal swing, and two tactile markers, which provide tactile feedback to the golfer if the swing is not properly performed and, consequently, one of the tactile markers is hit by the golf club. Said tactile feedback provides a substantial improvement over visual guides known in the prior art because golfers and, in particular, beginners trying to concentrate on the complex movements required for a proper swing have great difficulties to also visually control their swing during movement. Yet, the tactile markers according to the present invention provide direct feedback if the golf club hits one of those markers because the golfer either “feels” said hit or can assess the feedback after the swing because the hit marker has been displaced from its original position.

Preferably, each of the elongated elements has a length of 10 to 100 cm, more preferably 20 to 75 cm, and even more preferably 30 to 50 cm. Preferably, each of the elongated elements has a width of 1 to 10 cm, more preferably 2 to 8 cm, and even more preferably 5 to 6 cm. Preferably, each of the elongated elements has a thickness of 0.5 to 10 mm, more preferably 1 to 8 mm, and even more preferably 2 to 6 mm.

As used herein, the term “connected” encompasses both a connection via any detachable connecting means (such as a snap fastener or a hook and loop fastener) and a permanent, inseparable connection, i.e. where parts being connected are formed into one single piece. In other words, the two elongated, deformable elements may be two separate strips which can be detachably connected to the tee receiving section by suitable connecting means. Alternatively, the two elongated, deformable elements may be permanently connected to the tee receiving section. For example, the elongated elements and the tee receiving section may together form one integral, unitary piece and may even be integrally made from a single piece of raw material, the unitary piece having, e.g., the shape of a V or U.

As used herein, the term “deformable” indicates that the elements referred to are capable of being manually reshaped (e.g. folded, bent, curved or rolled) during the normal course of deploying and restoring the golf training device. This improves the above-mentioned functionality of providing guidance during the swing. Due to its deformability, the user may adapt the shape of the deployed device to his/her personal needs. For example, a certain curvature of the swing to be performed may be indicated by a correspondingly bent elongated element of the visual guide. For this purpose, it is preferred that the deformable elements are deformable within a plane spanned by the deformable elements and the tee receiving section, i.e. a plane perpendicular to the extension of a tee received in the tee receiving section and parallel to ground. The deformability of the elongated elements also allows for reducing the size of the golf trainer in order to carry it easily in a golf bag without it taking up much space or adding any significant weight. It is thus preferred that the elongated elements (and preferably the entire visual guide) can be folded, bent, curved or rolled. It is further preferred that the entire golf training device can be reduced to a three-dimensional shape with its largest extension (corresponding to its length) being smaller than 30 cm, preferably smaller than 25 cm, more preferably smaller than 20 cm. Preferably, the width and/or height of said three-dimensional shape is smaller than 15 cm, preferably smaller than 10 cm, more preferably smaller than 8 cm. The weight of the entire golf training device is preferably smaller than 300 g, more preferably smaller than 200 g and most preferably smaller than 150 g.

One or both of the elongated elements may comprise an elastic material. The elastic material is not particularly limited, as long as the elongated element is capable of returning to its original shape and size after a force that is typically exerted thereto (e.g. at the time when the visual guide is stretched and affixed to the ground or when a golfer hits a golf tee received in the tee receiving section) is released. Preferably, Young's modulus of the elastic material is within a range of 0.2 to 50 MPa, more preferably of 0.5 to 10 MPa. Preferably, the elongation at break (or fracture stain) is within a range of 20% to 1000%, and more preferably 50% to 800%. Preferably, the elongation at break (or fracture stain) is greater than 20%, more preferably greater than 35%, and most preferably greater than 50%. As an elongated element comprises an elastic material, when a golf tee received in the tee receiving section is struck by a golf club, the momentum transferred to the golf tee can be at least partially absorbed by the elastic, elongated element, reducing the possibility that the golf tee is seriously deformed, broken and/or catapults away. In the case where an elongated element comprises an elastic material, the aforementioned ranges of the dimension of the elongated element refer to the original dimension without elastic deformation. The elongated element may also be composed entirely of an elastic material. Indeed, as used herein in the context of describing the composition of a physical entity, the expression “A comprises material B” should be interpreted as also suggesting the case where “A is composed entirely of material B” unless otherwise specified.

Preferably, one or both of the elongated elements comprise one or a combination of suitable elastomers. Such elastomers may be any natural or synthetic rubbers which possess the aforementioned deformability or elasticity characteristic. Optionally, the elastomers have other properties like waterproofness for being used in circumstances such as on the grass of a golf course or on a synthetic mat at a driving range. For example, neoprene (also known as polychloroprene or pc-rubber) can be used as a material of the elongated, deformable element. It is also preferred that the elongated elements, and preferably the entire tee holding device, is made from a material or materials that is/are one or a combination of: environmentally friendly, sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, natural. Since the tee holding device of the present invention might be forgotten or lost during or after use, it is advantageous if the materials employed in the device do not cause any harm to nature and are preferably compostable or biodegradable.

The tee receiving section may comprise the same material as the elongated elements and may, as mentioned above, be integral with the elongated elements.

Preferably, each of the two tactile markers is removably connected to one of the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively. Said removable connection may be achieved by one or a combination of the following: magnet, hook-and-loop fastener, plug-in connector, clip, indent or recess. Each tactile marker is preferably connected to the second end of one of the deformable elements so as to be positioned at or proximate to said second end. In other words, the positions of the two tactile markers and the tee to be received in the tee receiving section form a, preferably isosceles, triangle. In a relaxed, undeformed state of the guide, the length of the base of said triangle is preferably at least 15 cm, more preferably at least 18 cm, even more preferably at least 20 cm and/or preferably at most 30 cm, more preferably at most 27 cm and even more preferably at most 25 cm. The length of each of the legs of said triangle amounts preferably to 10 to 100 cm, more preferably to 20 to 75 cm and even more preferably to 30 to 50 cm.

The most preferred means for providing the removable connection between each of the two tactile markers and the two elongated, deformable elements is a magnet which may be incorporated into either of the tactile marker and the second end of the elongated, deformable element. The other one of these two corresponding parts may also comprise a magnet or a magnetizable material such as iron. Such a magnetic connection provides several technical advantages because the force is well-defined and acts on a rather short length scale. Moreover, a hit and displaced tactile marker can be easily reattached without the need to fiddle with a mechanical connection means. In addition, a magnetic connection is aesthetically pleasing and can even be completely hidden behind a covering layer of, e.g., cloth. Very strong forces may be achieved by the use of, e.g., neodymium magnets.

Preferably, each of the two tactile markers is, preferably in addition to the removable connection, attached to one of the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively, by means of a string ribbon. Said attachment may also be removable and may be achieved by means of one or a combination of the following: snap fastener, plug-in connector, clip, hook and eye, button and buttonhole.

The idea underlying the two-fold connection/attachment is the following: the removable connection by, e.g., a magnet, allows for easy and proper positioning of the two tactile markers with a well-defined force to be overcome when the golf club hits one of the tactile markers. By contrast, the string or ribbon allows for tethering the tactile marker and prevents it from flying away once struck by a golf club, thereby saving the time and labour required to locate and retrieve the tactile marker when practicing.

For a proper retaining force, it is preferred that the string or ribbon is elastic. Preferably, the string or ribbon has a spring constant greater than 0.5 N/cm, preferably greater than 1 N/cm, more preferably greater than 2 N/cm and/or smaller than 20 N/cm, preferably smaller than 10 N/cm, more preferably smaller than 5 N/cm. The spring constant for small extensions may be measured by attaching a weight to one end of the string or ribbon and measuring the extension caused by said weight.

Preferably, the string or ribbon has a length greater than 3 cm, more preferably greater than 5 cm and even more preferably greater than 7 cm. Preferably, the string ribbon has a length smaller than 12 cm, more preferably smaller than 10 cm and even more preferably smaller than 8 cm. In order to utilize twice the length of the string or ribbon for possible displacement of the tactile marker, it is preferred to attach the string or ribbon to the elongated, deformable element at a position between the tactile marker and the tee receiving section.

In order to minimize the impact of the tactile marker onto the golf club when being hit or struck by the golf club, the tactile marker should preferably be light-weight with the weight of each tactile marker being preferably smaller than 10 g, preferably smaller than 5 g and even more preferably smaller than 3 g. Moreover, since the impact from the golf club onto the marker can be massive, it is preferred that the material of the tactile marker has a small density in order to increase the air resistance once the marker is flying away. It is thus preferred that the tactile markers comprise a material having a density of smaller than 300 kg/m³, preferably smaller than 150 kg/m³, even more preferably smaller than 75 kg/m³. It is also preferred that the tactile markers comprise a foam, preferably polyurethane foam.

Furthermore, the material of the tactile marker should not be damaged when being struck by a golf club. It is thus preferred that the tactile marker comprises a material having a compression hardness measured according to DIN EN ISO 3386 between 1 and 20 kPa, preferably between 2 and 10 kPa. Moreover, the properties such as weight, density, material, surface hardness of the tactile marker are preferably chosen such that the head of a golf club cannot be damaged if it hits said tactile marker.

Preferably, the tee receiving section includes a coupling element configured to engage with the golf tee so that the golf tee is retained within the coupling element during an impact, i.e. when the golf tee is struck by a golf club. While a golf tee can be held by the tee receiving section even without a coupling element (e.g. by simply piercing the golf tee through the tee receiving section), providing a coupling element may be preferable in view of e.g. durability of the tee receiving section.

The coupling element may be embodied in various configurations, as long as the aforementioned purpose is fulfilled. For example, the coupling element may be a hole formed in a segment of material (i.e. the tee receiving section). Alternatively, the coupling element may be any structure extending from the tee receiving section, the structure being e.g. a ring, a hook or at least one strap. Preferably, the coupling element is configured to firmly grip the golf tee by e.g. a friction force between the coupling element and the golf tee, so that the golf tee would be kept with the tee holding device after a golfer hits the golf tee. In the case where the coupling element is a hole in the tee receiving section and the tee receiving section comprises an elastic material, a diameter of that hole may, for example, be equal to or smaller than the dimension of the part of the golf tee engaged in that hole, so as to realize the aforementioned firm gripping.

Preferably, the tee receiving section includes two or more holes differing from each other in dimension and/or shape for receiving golf tees having different shapes and/or dimensions. Preferably, the tee receiving section comprises a hole for inserting a golf tee, preferably a hole for inserting a regular golf tee and/or a hole for inserting a range tee. Accordingly, the golf training device can be suitably used on different grounds that require different golf tees. The tee receiving section may also combine a hole with a coupling element other than a hole.

Preferably, each of the elongated elements has at the second end thereof a hole for receiving an anchoring member, so that each of the elongated elements can be affixed to the ground by the anchoring member. The anchoring member will be described in more detail later. It is also contemplated that, in lieu of a hole, a coupling element suitable for engaging with the anchoring member is provided at the second end of the elongated element. Such a coupling element may take the form of a ring, a hook or at least one strap, as described above with respect to the coupling element of the tee receiving section.

Preferably, at least one of the aforementioned holes, i.e. the hole(s) in the tee receiving section and/or at the second end of the elongated element, is provided with an eyelet for reinforcing the hole.

The visual guide is preferably approximately V-shaped or U-shaped.

The distance between the two tactile markers, in a relaxed state of the visual guide, is at least 15 cm, more preferably at least 18 cm, even more preferably at least 20 cm and/or preferably at most 30 cm, more preferably at most 27 cm and even more preferably at most 25 cm. However, since the two elongated elements are deformable, the distance between the two tactile markers can be varied by, e.g., “opening” and “closing” the V- or U-shape. Preferably, the distance between the two tactile markers can be varied by at least 30%, more preferably by at least 50%, even more preferably by at least 75% and most preferably by at least 100% relative to the smallest distance possible. Since the visual guide is preferably elastic, the legs may return into their relaxed state if simply laid onto ground. Yet, the second ends of the elongated elements may be fixed to ground by means of the anchoring members discussed above. Thus, the distance between the two tactile markers may be optimized and maintained by the user.

Preferably, the tactile markers have a height of at least 2 cm, more preferably at least 2.5 cm and even more preferably at least 3 cm. Preferably, the tactile markers have a height of at most 8 cm, more preferably at most 7 cm and even more preferably at most 6 cm. The tactile markers may also have different heights since it may be necessary to move the golf club over one of the two tactile markers during a swing. In that case, it is preferred that one of the tactile markers has a height of at least 2 cm, preferably at least 2.5 cm and more preferably at least 3 cm and/or a height of at most 4 cm, preferably at most 3.5 cm and even more preferably at most 3 cm. It is also preferred that the other of the tactile markers has a height of at least 5 cm, preferably at least 5.5 cm and more preferably at least 6 cm and/or a height of at most 9 cm, preferably at most 8 cm and more preferably at most 7 cm.

In a further aspect, the invention is directed to the use of any of the aforementioned golf training devices. The use, or the method of using the golf training device, includes the steps of laying down the golf training device, optionally affixing the second ends of the two elongated, deformable elements to the ground and inserting a golf tee into the tee receiving section.

Preferably, the tee receiving portion is affixed to the ground by inserting the golf tee into the tee receiving section and further into the ground.

Preferably, the second ends of the two elongated, deformable elements are affixed to the ground by means of two anchoring members. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. One or both of the elongated elements can also be affixed to the ground by e.g. placing a weight onto a second end thereof Alternatively, none of the elongated elements is affixed to the ground. Rather, it may be preferable (in particular on a drive range with artificial turf mats) to simply lay the golf training device onto the ground.

Preferably, the method of using the golf training device further includes a step of arranging the tee receiving section and the two elongated elements so that the visual guide forms a V-shape or U-shape. The V- or U-shape may correspond to an isosceles triangle or a scalene triangle. An edge of the V- or U-shape may be straight or curved. The V- or U-shape defines a route extending along a longitudinal direction of the tee holding device, i.e. from a top to a bottom of the “V” or “U”, which, preferably, is arranged to correspond to an ideal swing direction/swing arc/swing path. The V- or U-shape thereby provides guidance for an ideal swing when a golfer is to hit a drive with the aid of the tee holding device. Specifically, in the case where the golf training device is deployed by affixing the tee receiving section and the two elongated elements to the ground with, respectively, a golf tee and two anchoring members, a golfer should swing the golf club in a manner that the clubhead travels along a route defined by the V- or U-shape, through the “entrance” defined by the two anchoring members and toward the vertex where the golf tee is located. Due to the deformability of the two elongated elements, the shape of the V or U as well as the opening angle may be easily adjusted.

Preferably, the V- or U-shape is arranged to correspond to an inside-to-inside swing path, an inside-out swing path or an outside-in swing path. That is, the golf training device can be used to teach a golfer to hit a straight shot, a draw shot and a fade shot.

Preferably, the method of using the golf training device further includes the steps of swinging a golf club with a first swing direction (or a first swing arc) guided by a first route defined by the V- or U-shape and hitting a golf ball, assessing a first trajectory of the golf ball, comparing the first trajectory with an ideal trajectory, and adjusting the shape and/or orientation of the V- or U-shape so that the V- or U-shape defines a second route corresponding to a second, improved swing direction/swing arc.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the scope of the invention for which the protection is sought should not be limited to any particulars shown or described below, but rather defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a golf training device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the golf training device according FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of a golf training device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of a golf training device according to an embodiment of the invention for practicing drive shots with side spin (draw/fade); and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacturing of a golf training device according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a golf training device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The golf training device 100 includes a tee receiving section 102 and two elongated, deformable elements 104, 106. A first end 104 a of the elongated element 104 is connected to the tee receiving section 102. A first end 106 a of the elongated element 106 is connected to the tee receiving section 102. Two holes 108 and 110, respectively as coupling elements engageable with different golf tees, are formed in the tee receiving section 102. For example, the smaller hole 108 may be suitable to engage with a golf tee typically used on a golf course, while the bigger hole 110 may be suitable to engage with a rubber golf tee typically used with a synthetic mat on a driving range. While the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises two holes 108, 110, only one of the two holes or more holes at different locations or of different types may be provided.

An optional hole 114 engageable with an anchoring member is formed at a second end 104 b of the elongated element 104 and a similar optional hole 116 engageable with another anchoring member is formed at a second end 106 b of the elongated element 106. While not shown in FIG. 1 , one, some or all of the holes 108, 110, 114 and 116 may be provided with an eyelet for reinforcement.

The two elongated, deformable elements 104 and 106 together with the tee receiving section 102 form a visual guide which, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , is roughly V-shaped (with rounded legs). Of course, visual guidance could alternatively also be achieved with a U-shaped visual guide or a visual guide having any other shape comprising two elongated, deformable elements which could help to provide optical guidance to the golfer. For example, the visual guide could have the shape of a rectangular U having two parallel elongated, deformable elements and a substantially straight tee receiving section being oriented perpendicular to the two elongated elements. The visual guide does also not need to be symmetric and may have, e.g., two elongated, deformable elements of different shape and/or size.

The golf training device 100 further comprises two tactile markers 118, 120, which can be better seen in the side view shown in FIG. 2 , which tactile markers 118, 120 are connected to the two elongated, deformable elements 104, 106, respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , a removable connection between the tactile marker 118 and the second end 104 b of the elongated, deformable element 104 is achieved by two magnets 128, 130 being embedded in the tactile marker 118 and the elongated element 104, respectively. This provides for a particularly simple and effective connection means since the golfer may, once the tactile marker 118 has been displaced after being hit by a golf club, easily reattach the tactile marker to the correct position of the elongated element 104 as the two magnets 128 and 130 will guarantee proper positioning due to the magnetic forces. Nevertheless, other means for a removable connection are envisaged as well as discussed above.

In addition to the removable connection provided by the two magnets 128, 130, the tactile marker 118 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is also attached to the elongated, deformable element 104 by means of a string or ribbon 122. Similarly, the tactile marker 120 is attached to the elongated element 106 by means of a string or ribbon 124.

One end of the string or ribbon 122 is attached to the tactile marker 118 or optionally directly to the magnet 128 embedded therein, whereas the other end of the string or ribbon 122 is, preferably removably, attached to the elongated, deformable element 104 by means of, e.g., a snap fastener 126. However, as discussed above, a plug-in connector, a clip, a hook and eye connection or a button and a buttonhole may be used instead.

If the tactile marker 118 as shown in FIG. 2 is struck by a golf club, the impact force will overcome the magnetic force between the two magnets 128 and 130 such that the tactile marker 118 is catapulted away. However, since the tactile marker 118 is attached to the elongated element 104 by means of the string or ribbon 122, which is preferably elastic, the tactile marker 118 does not get lost and remains linked to the golf training device. Ideally, most of the impact onto the tactile marker 118 is compensated by the air resistance and the elastic force of the string or ribbon 122.

While the tactile markers 118, 120 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have a substantially elliptical cross section, other shapes and sizes of tactile markers are envisaged as well. For example, the cross section of the markers may by round, rectangular or polygonal and the shape of the markers may be cylindrical, pyramidal, spherical and the like.

In use, the golf training device 100 may be affixed to the ground by inserting anchoring members 200 (see FIG. 3 ) through the holes 114, 116 at the second ends 104 b, 106 b of the elongated elements 104, 106, and inserting a golf tee 300 through the corresponding hole 108 in the tee receiving section 102. A golf ball 400 is placed on the golf tee 300. A golfer can then hit a drive with a golf club 500. As a result, the golf tee 300 may held and retained by the golf training device 100, and does not catapult away even if the golf club 500 strikes the golf tee 300.

As discussed above, the visual guide of the golf training device 100 can be used as a golf training aid. The “drive” is a difficult shot. All golf players, even professionals, struggle with hitting a straight shot and often suffer from producing “slice” or “hook” shots. A cause of a slice or hook shot is that the golf club comes to the golf ball from a wrong direction, imparting a significant amount of sidespin on the golf ball and causing it to take an undesirable, over-curved flight path instead of straight down the fairway. In this context, the golf training device 100 shown in FIG. 3 may provide a golfer with visual guidance to swing the golf club 500 along a correct swing arc/swing direction/swing path, so as to hit the golf ball 400 straight.

Referring to FIG. 3 (which, for simplicity, does not show the tactile markers), the golf ball 400 is teed up with the golf tee 300 through the hole 108 of the golf training device 100. The two halves of the strip (i.e. elongated elements 104, 106) are pulled apart and optionally anchored to the ground with pegs (i.e. anchoring members 200), forming a V-shape “corridor” for the golf club 500 to pass down. The V-shape corridor, accordingly, defines a hypothetical route 600 (indicated as a dashed line in FIG. 3 ) that extends from the substantially middle point of the two anchoring members 200 to the golf tee 300. By arranging the route 600 to correspond to an ideal swing path and forcing the golfer to swing the golf club 500 along the route 600, the golf training device 100 provides guidance for the golfer to swing a correct arc for an ideal shot. For example, by following the route 600 that corresponds to a straight (i.e. inside-to-inside) swing direction, a golfer can hit a drive with such swing direction that may eliminate any undesirable sidespins.

In this context, the golf training device 100 may have a bright color so that it is highly visible against the green color of the grass or artificial grass on the driving range, and its image, therefore, “burns” into the mind of the golfer after repetition of practice. In this way, when playing the game formally, the golfer could take the golf training device 100 mentally with him onto the golf course, thereby helping him to swing the golf club in a correct arc for a good shot, even without the physical presence of the golf training device 100.

Depending on the golfer's level he may change the opening angle of the V-shape: the closer the two markers 300 are to each other the more challenging it becomes to perform the swing without touching the tactile/audible markers, thus resulting in an even more precise repetition of the swing when striking the ball, and/or gradually increasing the swing precision over time as the player improves.

In addition, the golf training device 100 can also be laid down in such a way that it guides a correct swing arc for a “draw” or “fade” shot, which is a shot that gently curves from the straight path due to slight sidespin. Contrary to the undesirable slices and hooks, draws and fades are controlled, intended shots that require advanced skills. Golfers usually spend a great deal of time on the driving range with professional trainers in order to perfect the draw and fade shots. With the golf training device 100, golfers may now train themselves to be acquainted with a correct swing for a draw and a fade and learn to hit them consistently, as described below.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the golf training device 100 can further be used to guide a golfer to “shape” his shots, i.e. to hit the golf ball 400 with a controlled amount of sidespin, so that the golf ball 500 has a controlled curve as either a draw or a fade. In particular, in FIG. 4 , the golf training device 100 is arranged so that the V-shape corridor only allows the golf club 500 to strike the golf ball 400 coming along an inside-out path (for a right-handed golfer), which generally imparts counter-clockwise sidespin on the golf ball 400, and accordingly generates a controlled draw. Similarly, a fade shot can be created with an outside-in swing path, which generally imparts a clockwise sidespin on the golf ball 400. It is also envisaged that a golfer may hit a first drive with a first swing direction lead by a first route defined by the V-shape, and, should he find the trajectory non-ideal (e.g. due to either too much or not enough side spin), adjust the shape and/or orientation of the V-shape so that the V-shape defines a second route corresponding to a second, improved swing.

The golf training device 100 of the present invention may be manufactured by bisecting a portion of an elongated strip along the dashed line shown in FIG. 5 and punching the holes 108, 110, 114 and 116 in the elongated strip. A further hole may be punched for the magnet or other connection means and a snap fastener may be provided for attachment by means of the string or ribbon (not shown in FIG. 5 ).

The present invention further provides a golf accessory kit including the golf training device 100 of FIG. 1 and two anchoring members 200 as shown in FIG. 3 , The anchoring member 200 includes a marker 202 bound to a pin 204. The pin 204 is suitably sized and shaped to be able to pass through hole 114 provided at the end 104 b of the elongated element 104. The marker 202 has a dimension greater than a width of the pin 204 (the width being a dimension along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pin 204), and also greater than a diameter of the hole accommodating the pin 204. The marker 202 is not limited to any particular shape. 

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A golf training device, comprising: a visual guide comprising a tee receiving section for receiving a golf tee and two elongated, deformable elements each having first and second ends, wherein the two elongated elements are connected to the tee receiving section at their first ends; and two tactile markers connected to the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively.
 25. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein each of the two tactile markers is removably connected to one of the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively.
 26. The golf training device of claim 25, wherein the removable connection is achieved by one or a combination of the following: magnet, hook-and-loop fastener, plug-in connector, clip, indent, or recess.
 27. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein each of the two tactile markers is attached to one of the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively, by a string or ribbon.
 28. The golf training device of claim 27, wherein each of the two strings or ribbons is attached to one of the two elongated, deformable elements, respectively, by one or a combination of the following: snap fastener, plug-in connector, clip, hook and eye, button. or buttonhole.
 29. The golf training device of claim 27, wherein the string or ribbon is elastic.
 30. The golf training device of claim 29, wherein the string or ribbon has a spring constant greater than 0.5 N/cm.
 31. The golf training device of claim 27, wherein the string or ribbon has a length greater than 3 cm.
 32. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tactile markers comprise a foam.
 33. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tactile markers comprise a material having a density of smaller than 300 kg/m³.
 34. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tactile markers comprise a material having a compression hardness measured according to DIN EN ISO 3386 between 1 and 20 kPa.
 35. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein a weight of each tactile marker is smaller than 10 g.
 36. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tee receiving section comprises a coupling element configured to engage with the golf tee so that the golf tee is retained within the coupling element during an impact.
 37. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tee receiving section comprises a hole for inserting a golf tee.
 38. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tee receiving section comprises two or more holes differing from each other in dimension and/or shape for receiving different golf tees.
 39. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein each of the elongated, deformable elements has at the second end a hole for receiving an anchoring member.
 40. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the visual guide is approximately V-shaped or U-shaped.
 41. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein a distance between the two tactile markers, in a relaxed state, is at least 15 cm.
 42. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein a distance between the two tactile markers can be varied.
 43. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tactile markers have a height of at least 2 cm.
 44. The golf training device of claim 24, wherein the tactile markers have different heights.
 45. The golf training device of claim 44, wherein one of the tactile markers has a height of at least 2 cm.
 46. The golf training device of claim 45, wherein the other of the tactile markers has a height of at least 5 cm. 